Khalsa college governing council member resigns

Bhag Singh Ankhi, who had opposed the Khalsa College Governing Council's move to convert 120-year-old Khalsa College into a university, has decided to quit from the governing body.

"Under the changed circumstances and environment and due to personal reasons, I have decided to quit," Ankhi said in his resignation letter sent to KCGC president Satyajit Singh Majithia.

He requested that his resignation be accepted. Ankhi, who was member of the governing body from 1970 till date, remained on posts of vice-president, honorary secretary and additional secretary.

All through his tenure in the council, he remained with the pro-Akali group. However, when Majithia decided to convert the college into a university last year, Ankhi opposed the move and supported teachers, who launched an agitation against the management.

Though he was supported by a handful of members of the council, Ankhi refused to budge from his stand.

With the Khalsa University proposal still pending with the government, Ankhi decided to quit, feeling that with the SAD-BJP alliance again coming to power he may not be able to muster support against the powerful Majitha group. Meanwhile, KCGC honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina has appealed to Ankhi to withdraw his resignation.

It seems that the decision was taken in haste, Chinna said, adding that Ankhi should not leave the prestigious institution, where he served for 30 years. "Ankhi's contribution to the institution is immense and we want him in the council. I would like him to reconsider his decision," said Chhina.

He added that differences do crop up on various issues within the management, but that does not mean that one should leave the institution.